Dignity4Patients - Press Statement 03.03.2026
- Dignity 4Patients
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF CONVICTED SEXUAL OFFENDER MICHAEL SHINE AND DIGNITY4PATIENTS WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT FACILITATOR AND ENGAGEMENT OF EXPERT ADVISORS FOR SCOPING EXERCISE
Dignity4Patients warmly welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, of the appointment of Snr Counsel Lorcan Staines as Independent Facilitator for the Scoping Exercise sought on behalf of the victims and survivors of Michael Shine.
Dignity4Patients and solicitor for the victims and survivors, Diarmuid Brecknell of Phoenix Law, are encouraged by Staines extensive experience. His background provides reassurance that this process can and must be firmly grounded in a victim-centred, trauma-informed and human rights-based approach.
CEO of Dignity4Patients Adrienne Reilly says “The victims and survivors and SC Lorcan Staines will be supported throughout the process by expert advisors Maeve Lewis and Phil Scraton. Their collective expertise with victims of sexual violence and in shaping effective public inquiry models will be invaluable.”
She notes that “This marks an important and positive step forward for the victims who have shown immense courage in launching a public campaign to seek truth, acknowledgment and accountability. The Government’s decision in November 2025 to establish a time-bound scoping exercise recognised the legitimacy and urgency of their call. The commencement of this process today represents meaningful progress.”
Cianan Murray, campaigning since 1994 for a statutory public inquiry said “for the first time since the failed Drogheda Review in 2010 I am feeling positive about this, very positive. Victims and survivors are looking forward to engaging constructively with the facilitator and experts over the coming 16 weeks.”
CEO Adrienne Reilly states that “victims are encouraged by the collaborative framework outlined. Above all, this Scoping Exercise must deliver a process that listens respectfully to victims and survivors, recognises the
harm they have endured, and ensures that their voices shape any subsequent terms of reference for the statutory public inquiry response.”
“For many, this is not only about accountability, but about dignity, validation and ensuring that such failures
are never repeated.”
Dignity4Patients remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting victims and survivors throughout this process. We look forward to working in good faith with the facilitator and the expert advisory team to ensure that the outcome of this exercise reflects the rights and lived experiences of those affected.
Media Contact and for interviews: Adrienne Reilly- 083 088 6301
Helpline Support: 041 9843730 Monday – Thursday 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Text Support: 086 1654111 Monday –Thursday 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Email: support@dignity4patients.org
Website: www.dignity4patients.org
Twitter: @Dignity4patient
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm.
Press Statement in Full- PDF
